Ariel Hukporti’s injury in the Philadelphia 76ers’ preseason opener has turned out to be as serious as first feared. On Tuesday, October 6, the team revealed that an MRI confirmed Hukporti tore his right Achilles tendon less than five minutes into their exhibition game against the New York Knicks the previous day. The 7-foot center, who is 24 years old and hails from Germany, is set for surgery, and ESPN reports this injury will likely end his season.
The non-contact injury happened with 7:06 left in the first quarter when Hukporti fell during a defensive play. He immediately clutched his lower right leg and did not return to the court.
Losing Hukporti is a significant setback for the Sixers at the center position — a spot already under scrutiny due to Joel Embiid’s injury history and the team’s urgent goal to win a championship with stars like LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the roster. Embiid has missed over 40 games since the 2022-23 season, while his projected backup, Adem Bona, is sidelined with a foot injury and has yet to join preseason workouts. Additionally, Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-5 center signed on an Exhibit 10 contract, remains out and will be reassessed in 7 to 10 days.
Hukporti joined the 76ers on a one-year, $3.4 million deal after winning an NBA title with the Knicks. Though he played limited minutes in New York, Philadelphia viewed him as a promising developmental player who could earn frontcourt playing time, especially when Embiid is resting. The Sixers can apply for a $1.7 million disabled player exception, which is half of Hukporti’s 2026-27 salary. Philadelphia’s regular season opener is scheduled against the Knicks on October 20.
During the 2025-26 season, Hukporti appeared in 54 regular-season games with the Knicks, averaging 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in under 10 minutes per game.
Fan Take:
This injury is a tough blow for Sixers fans hopeful for a deep playoff run, as it weakens their already thin center rotation. It underscores how critical durability is for championship contenders and could potentially shake up how teams manage their frontcourt depth moving forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
